I am not a big fan of the Donkey Kong Country series of games. I didn’t like the SNES ones, I didn’t like the Game Boy ones, and although Donkey Kong 64 started well, the collecting killed it for me.

As a result, I didn’t even have a slight interest in the Wii game “Donkey Kong Country Returns”, of which this is a 3D “remix”. So why then did I play it? Firstly, curiosity. Secondly, it was free. And thirdly? Lots of people raving about it.

And today, I completed it. And it was hard.

Oh boy was it hard. I don’t think I’ve played such an unrelentingly difficult game in ages. Certainly not to completion, anyway (and Cloudberry Kingdom and VVVVVV don’t count due to unlimited lives and instant, nearby, respawn points). Somehow, though, it’s the difficulty that I enjoyed. The satisfaction of finally beating one of the hard-as-nails barrel rocket levels. Or besting that robot chicken boss even though it seemed impossible for the first 27 lives.

And not once did I resort to using the Super Guide flag-waving pig thing. Woo!

My impressions of the game besides the difficulty, then. Well, it’s pretty. So very pretty, especially in 3D. It plays really well too, and I’m not really understanding the control problems people have had with it. Sure, “grab” on R is a bit odd, but you get used to it. The timing for “bouncing on a baddie to boost jump” is tricky, especially on the later levels where it’s essential, but not really a control issue. From the comments people have made, it seems lots of players seem to be randomly rolling off cliffs and dying. Not really sure how they’re doing that.

I’ve said that the game was free (it was part of the “So Many Games” promotion a few months back), so would I, with hindsight, have bought it? Yes. Probably. Not for the full price, but maybe £15. Will I be going back and 100%ing the game? No. Some of the levels are too stressful to complete normally, let alone grabbing jigsaw pieces and KONG letters. I think it’ll go back on the virtual shelf with a 3/5 sticker, and I’ll be happy it’s done, but not sad to see it gathering dust.

Any game that causes me to lose over 40 lives in a single level is hard. To have several levels where I lose 40+ lives, is just ridiculous. That said, I’m sticking with it. Even though I did one level today (one in the Cliffs where you get barrel’d into the background and have to quickly run right and reach a platform before the floor disappears) and nearly snapped my 3DS in frustration.

Needless to say I’ll be glad when this ordeal is over. I’ve two “worlds” left yet, though!

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Wii U)

Closing in on 60 hours played now. SIXTY. Between this and Animal Crossing, I’m really not going to finish off many other games this year.

I seem to find myself playing mainly online these days. Hunting a monster in a team, regardless of which monster, who the team is, or even what rank everyone is, is always fun. Entering a room and everyone remarking on your rank and then offering to help you rank up is fantastic. I’m HR3 at the moment (but almost HR4), so although it’s still VERY early days, I’ve already been able to help some others reach HR3.

Offline, I’ve reached 5* and just have to capture a Lagiacrus to progress. Well, I say “just” – I find caps pretty difficult.

I’ve also completed my Rathalos armour, which has now replaced my Jaggi armour as my default choice. It’s not much better in terms of defence, but I haven’t pimped it out with Armour Spheres to the level I had with the Jaggi stuff, so I can improve it further.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)

Meanwhile, AC has clocked up 90 hours play. Erk.

Sold my turnips for a 100% profit, only to find I could have got 500% the next day. That’s the way it is. Still – at least I made a stack load of bells. Made a load more selling perfect pears “abroad”.

In development news, I’ve built a street clock, a yellow bench, and a fountain, and filled my basement with urinals.

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS)

This was one of the free games I obtained from the “So Many Games” promotion. It wasn’t one I especially wanted, but it was either this or Pokemon Mystery Dungeon so I tossed a coin. I have never been a fan of the series – I hated the SNES and Game Boy Donkey Kong Country/Land titles, and Donkey Kong 64 almost drove me away from gaming completely, but so far – only half way through the second level – I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I’m actually rather enjoying it, despite it being pretty difficult already.

Super Mario World (Wii U)

Once Kirby was completed, I returned to this. I’ve now reached Chocolate Island, so I know there’s not that much game left between me and Bowser now!